New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-02
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
TALK ABOUT CABINET CHANGES.

TALK ABOUT CABINET CHANGES.
MR. REAGAN's ELECTION RECEIVED WITH PLEASURE,
PITY AND REGRET
FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT TRIBUNE,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The atmosphere OF the Capt.
toi Is freghted with OF impending changes in
the Cabinet. Quidnunes and wseacres are kept busy
preparing new states every hour. They suggest the
most startling changes. They constantly add new
names to the list OF possibilities They have read three
men out OF the Cabinet already. For the remaining
tour they have found new places. The Cabinet has
been turned topsy tUrvy their fancy suggested or
their prejudice took for granted. II Is oil very anus
ing and recalls the period Immediately preceding Dir.
Cloveland's advent to Office, when thirty six States
esmored for recognition" in the Cabinet and each
had half dozen tavorite sons to present. In
the meantime, the President possesses his soul In
peace, AMI wonders not whether it would be well to
give the AttorneyGeneral his walking papers at this
unoture or grant permission to the Secretary OF state
TO retire. or tell the Secretary OF the Navy that his
services will not be required after the 9th OF this
month, anything else equally absurd; but whether
would be wise and good politics as well to siga the
this talk about Cabinet changes is fudge The retire
ment OF Manning 49, OF course the exception ana 1t Is
good as decided The Of Ms
likely to be Immediately settled 1t seems more than
ever to lie between Scott and Fairchild. .,
"Whatever the decision Of the President said a
prominent member OF the Administration to-day, you
may depend upon it that New-York ideas OF finance
will dictate the nomination. No Administration, in
my opinion. can hope to succeed which does not bear
this in mind and know that the President is fully
impressed with it,"
This would rule out Pendleton and it might by many
be considered unavorable even to Scott Still, the
chances of the Pennsylvania Congressman are excel
lent and IN the general judgment he leads the helo
One slate | ought TO mention before dsmissing thus
subject because il represents the height Of absurity
to which this talk of Cabinet changes has been carried
within the last twent, -four hours 1t puts Bayard
aside altogether. transfers Whitney to the Treasury,
rs Attorney-Genera and sends-Hcaven save the
markl-Garland as Minister to Berlin.
Baby" Bissell is in town and to-day was closeted
cith the President This to be the foundation
for the rumor current tonight that he is to be ne OF
the commissioners under the Interstate Commerce
Act There is scarcely less foundation for the state
ment that Mr. Pendeton is to be one OF the commits
sioners. The claims however OF ex-senator Herman
are being pushed hear. with vIgor IN certain quar-
tiers, though Governor Hill Ia not supposed to he will
ing to put himself in position of asking fayors from
this MISUNDERSTANDING even for bis friend herman
as has been stated. IL may be said, however, with
certainty almost that of the commissioners Will
be taken from New York. and that the selection will
be made in accordance with the Presidents Judgment
based upon his own personal knowledge OF the man,
without reference to political considerations George
II. Blanchard formerly of the Erie road. is prom
nently mentioned rs candidate for place on the
commissions and is Commissi ner Fink. One Con-
CHEESEMAN'S mall am told, has been so burdened OF
late with applications of this character that he has
adopted the eXpcdlcnt OF having printed form
prepared which he sends to Zach applicant and which
Is designed 10 throw cold water upon their hopes AT
the very start. Some comfort IL derived at the hite
House nj Ih from the announcement OF Mr. Reagan
election to the Senate and this Is that the President
will be relieved from the necessity OF considering his
in connection with an appointment on the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
The news Of the election of Congressman Reagan to
the Senate to succeed Mr.. MaNcy ~ rece, ed here
with mingled sensations of pleasure pity and regret
pleasure on the part OF the House that he will no
longer nhict himself upon tnat body; pity Tor the
mod giN IN tn utsT-
prct his utteranccs and regret that one OF The most
conspicuous dcmagogucs in public life has received
promotion, thereby displocing quiet" ploddns man
with a reasonable alo ~ ancc OF common sense. Mr.
Maxey was graduated 1T West Point and after service
in the Mexican war. where he made good record.
resigned his ccmmsSion Though elected 10 ,ne
capacity but entered the Confederate Army IA
Colonel and rose to the rank OF MaJor-General. In
Washington he has Away. been highly respected
thong he has never asprcd 10 leadership
MIR Reagan ON the contrary. ever since he entered
the House at tho beginning of the XLiVth Congress
has put himself forward IN every debate, and Inns
cndcavorcd with interchangeable persistency. to starp
his own narrow personality upon almost every measure
calculated tor the countrys good lie belongs to that
o school Of Souhcr politicians who never look north
OF the Capital and whose public spirit Is appalled, at
the consideration OF the claims OF any other section
Mr. Reagan j. what may be called an old timer He
is almost seventy years old, though exceedingly well
preserved Since $50 he has held Office almost con
tinuously. lie elected m 1897 MS Representa-
tive In the XXXNth Congress. and was reelected IN
1859 but In s0l he threw aside his allegiance TO the
United States Government and joined the Coniederncy
under which he served Postmaster General. But
when tho rebellion over, Reagan with his carpet
bag .oon retained TO Washington. where no has
remained ever since. Every day when IN
the city he may be seen taking Democratic
pie and drinking Potomac milk AT ono OF the
CHEAP stands In the bn-e.ent Of the Capitol lie has
been quito thrifty In his ohangeful lite. has always
avoided getting LETT, and IL Is said that he is to-
day a man OF considerable wealth. Perhaps some one
ma, be cruel enough 10 point TO him hereafter from
the gallery a. millionaire
Tho Administration takes snuff and its organ sncezes
At the White House II was asserted with serious
rakuess YESTERDAY that Mr. Manning had not decided
yet whether to resign the Treasury portfolio or not
bo organ ut once begins TO hedge on ITS assertions
of the day before and announces that Mr.. Manning is
not expected TO resign" IL IA all fudge, oil COURSE
The White House nowadays Is not altogether the
fountain of pure and undiuted truth, as every
newspaper correspondent has had ample opportunity
colored kitchen wench Of the Executive Mansion by
the way has not heard yet that the President intends
to sign the Interstate Commerce bill. She II any,
woald know. Has any one said that he would veto
IL II has been forgotten. perhaps by many people,
that the President sent a message to Congress last
year. the subject Of disputes between laboring men
and their employers which contains sentences indoat-
ing in an unmlstakable manner the position he VIII
take in reference to the Interstate Commerce oiil
Talking of tie creation Of Labor Bureau by Federal
authority he says: go
"Its establishment would be a just and sensible
recognition Of the value of labor and OF ts right TO be
represented In the departments OF the Government.
So far its concatory offices shall have relation TO
disturbances which mterfercd with transit ana com
between the States ia existence would be Just-
fsd under the provisions OF the Constitution when
gives to Congress the power To regulate commerce Win
foreign nations and among the several States. !;
II the usefulness of such n commission is doubted
because 1t might lack power to enforce lts deoishhs
much announcement L. derived from the conceded
good that has been accomplished by the railroad COM
missions which have been organized In many OF the
States which. having little more than advisory power
have exertad sanitary influence In the settlement Of
dispntes between conflicting interests.
THE WAR SPIRIT IN ILLINOIS.